Toy torpedo



June 5, 1928.

1,672,460 K. KOHN TOY TORPEDO Filed July 23, 1925 2 Shets-Sheef 1 June 5, 1928.

K. KOHN TOY TORPEDd Filed July 25, 1925 rstemeeeme s, teas.

KOBY KOEN, OF;

new YO, s. Y.

To? 'ronrnno.

This invention relates to torpedoesand more particularly to improvements in toy torpedoes of the type adapted to be exploded by the impact resulting from dropping or throwing them against a hard surface.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved type of toy torpedo, together with a novel method of manufacturing the same and apparatus for making the various component parts thereof. 7

More particularlyit is an object of the present invention to provide a torpedo in which the explosive compound andmeans for causing its ignition" are enclosed in a non-adsorbent, waterproofcasing.

Another object of the present invention consists in the provision of a cup or container formed of an agglutinant or like binding material and associated substances to raise its melting point, increase'its resistance to crushing'and to render it more readily workable in the process ofmanufacture,

' together with a cap or seal of the same maprocess.

A further object of the present invention consists in the provision of a novel means and apparatus for molding pitch, or similar plastic material, cups or containers under. pressure and for cutting oil the supply of molding material fromthe mold while it is still under. pressure.

A still further object of thh inventionis a novel method of and process for makin torpedoes in large quantities with the minimum amount of hand work and resulting in the maximum production of torpedoes having a higher percentage pf efliciency and fewereimperfect ones than with present known methods.

Other and further objects of the invention will be more apparent as the description proceeds.

For a complete understanding of the presi v Application filed July 231925. Serial m. 45,857.

I p j ent invention reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings and following specification wherein are disclosed a step by step method of forming a torpedo of the type described, together with means for its manufacture and apparatus for use in the various processes and informing certain of the parts thereof. w

- In said-drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pitch cup or container for explosive material as a used in the construction of the torpedo;

Figure 2 is a central vertical section through the same;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the explosive material or fulminatingrcompound placed in the cup;

igure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing in addition to the explosive compound a substance such as gravel for caus- 15.

ing its detonation upon im act.

Figure 5 is a view simllar to Figur e 4 showing the cover or -s eal in position in the p; I

Figure 6 is aipla'n view of the cover or seal;

Figure 7 is an elevation thereof; Figure 8 is an elevation of the completed and sealed cupafter the sanding process;

Figure 9 is a view of the cup of Figure 8 enclosed. in its outer protective casing whi h is shown in section;

for forming the cups; -Figure'11 is a die paratus for sanding t e cups; and

Figure 12 is a view of a portion of Figure 11 taken atright angles thereto.

In the manufacture of toy torpedoes for i use in Fourth of July celebrations and on similar occasions, it has hitherto been proposed to provide acontainer or cup for the explosive composition and the means for ex- 1 plodi-ng this composition such as gravel etc., which'cup has been made from varlous materials, such'as clay, paper, cardboard, etc, but these materials offer many serious ob ec tions from the standpoint of manufacturing 1 Figure 10 is a more or 'lessdiagrammatic illustration in vertical section'of one form of molding apparatus'which may be used ammatictview of ap- Q 2 I W J over-seas. The materials as previously menvention but it may be composed of sulfur, tioned for use in making the cups are expenchlorate of potash and antimony. In Fig- :sive and the methods of manufacture reure 4 a cupisshown which has received the quire considerable hand work in assembling gravel \or other material to abrade and which greatly increases the cost. ignite the explosive composition or ,fulmi- In the patent to Cimorosi, No. 1,467,755, nate upon, impact. dated September 11, 1923, is disclosed /a* be placed in the cup by pouring a quantity method for making toy torpedoes in which of it over the mold and shaking off the exthe explosive compound and the gravel are cess. In Figures 6 and 7 is shown a disk assembled in a paper cup which is then or sealing cap 21 for closing the upper open closed by a similar cup closely fitting-over end of the cup. Its edge is tapered as at the exterior thereof. cups are then subject to treatment with an the top of the cup. This sealing capis comagglutinant, such asliquid silicate of soda, posed of the same material as the cup.

glue, etc., and are then tumbled in a S t- These caps or covers maybe placed in'posiable machine while subject to inter mittent tion either mechanically or by hand while I supplies of Wood flour 01 like com n in a heated condition -so thata moisturematerial and additional aggl inflll the proof seal is formed between the edges of the constant tumbling alid rol g causing the cap and the walls of the cup, thus positively 7 Wood flour t0 agglomerate a adhere to the excluding moisture from the explosive com.-

,outsides of \the cups and finally form a und." They may also be placed in posi- 500,000 torpedoes are made: in one day.

The Present lhvehtlon contemplates the mold containing the cupsand pressed down V 1 and 2 be Seen iS preferred posed of a plastic a d ag spherical mass about each cup which is 'aftert-ion while cold and then sealed by a heated ward dried and forms the O e P Y instrument. Various ways will suggest casing I C 0f the P thls themselves for sealing the caps into the cup process the cups are liable to absorb moisture b t if preferred a l t having ws'eries f This gravel can readily.

A number of these 22 to fit close1y within the inner walls of from the agglutina l n thus Fender projecting studs of the diameter of the inteexplosive meflectlve. The cost of the cups i f th Cup may b di d,' hi1 i a i e ssi e th y be assembled y heated condition, into a bath of molten plasb n whleh 1S alhexpehslve operatlen when tic material so that a suflicient quantity 1t 15 consldeled h Sometlmes y as sticks to each stud to form a seal for the cup.

This plateisthen placed in position over the sllhstitlltieh a P formedhf hithminous to seal the molten caps into the cups. Sudespheltle blhdel P138131c materlal such den cooling of this plate will cause release of as Pitch the like in which y y not the mastic material and the plate can be be incorporated various materials to raise ithd l i v all of the cups sealed by the melting P013, 1

to incr e h tensile a single operation. & strength, and to hcl'ease the .l'eslstahce to While various compositions of material s g F te e the m91d1hg may be used for moldingcups, it has been operatloh easlery Teferrlhg to Flgul'es found necessary that such material be comv i 'lutinant binder, o, use a p f h hevmg flat insoluble in water, ashredded nisiterial to tom 15 and cpn al s Walls KT reinforce the cup and a pulverulent filler Walls a e re a v y Phlll and the pp Open to raise the melting point of the pitch and to of the P 1s f hy i increase the strength and resistance to presehtlal flange T g m g. sure. Various materials. such as kaolin, inoperatloha whlch W111 he later descrlhed, h fusorial earths, fibrous material sand, wood sults in a sprue in the Center Of t he bottom flour Sulfur etc been incorporated ofithe P- A number of these p are with the pitch in the endeavor to obtain a cast in a single mold, preferably 144, and Ivhile stilll1 in the mold the cortas are removiel'd .eavin 't e tops of the cups ush with t e tiall 80 f 185 upper surface of the mold which is made of f llgk 0 suitable "composition. It'has been. found briquette pitch, 12%

cores which can be given a smooth sufface to allow the cups to be more readily drawn from the mold. While in' the mold the explosive compound can easily be placed in each cup by an suitable method, either individually by and, or simultaneously by machine.

p In Figure 3 is shown a cup containing the explosive material 19 of which but a small quantity is used. 'The' composition of this material forms no part of the present in-.

fullers earth raisesthe melting point of the pitch an appreciable degree above its normal melting point and at the same time causes the mixture to set almost at once within the mold and Without adhering to it, so that the cup can easily be withdrawn as-soon as desired. The asbestos being fibrous, binds sile strength, and makes a more satisfactory cup all around. Of course any other. composition of material having suitable charthe Whole mass together, increases thetenthat a composition composed of substanearth and'8% shredded asbestos is v steel or simllar hard mater1al.as are the most satisfact0ry The addition of acteristics; can be used. A cup molded of i such material has an extremely smooth inner and outer surface Which is of particular advantage in that there are do pores or re cesses into which the finely powdered explosive material may find. its. way and thus be partially absorbed and rendered ineflec-- tive to help the explosion. The smooth sur- I .face also prevents the explosive compound from sticking to the cilps. paper cups as have previously been used, it

has been found that a larger quantity of ex plosive material must be used than in'the pitch cups to produ e the same loudness of report for the cups are subjected to a period of tumbling in a rotating barrel which causes aconsiderable quantity of finely divided ex plosive mixture to be worked into the pores of the paper or cardboard. This is not the case where pitch cups having a smooth inner surface are used.

The pitch composition used in the construction of these cups is somewhat brittle but it has considerable tensile strength and immediately upon the occurrenceof the explosion ofiers resistance to the expanding gases resulting from the explosion and thus allows their pressure toincrease before the making any noise. The pitch cup being ab solutely sealed is entirely moistureproof so that no. care need betaken in making, packing, shipping, or storing the tor edoes to keep them in an absolutely dry pla e. Thus there is no deterioration and torpedoes may be kept aglong while and still retain their initial good qualities which i snot true of those manufacured with paper or pasteboard cups. I

As previously explained it is customary to enclose the'explosive compound'container or cup .in .a casing or cover formed 'of an agglutinant binder and a cbmminuted filler such as described in the before mentioned Cimorosi patent. Torpedoes of this type i have practically superseded those of the type" comprising, a cap and gravel wrapped in several layers of paper, which is twisted into a' tail to direct the torpedo in its flight. The smooth outer surface ofthe pitch cup will not be readily adhered to by any of the well known and cheap 'agglutinan t or adhesive .materials usedinforming the outer covering of the torpedo. Ordinarily such materials as glue, dextrin, liquid silicate of soda, etc., are used to secure the reinforcing medium to the cup or tube and as a binder to hold it together. In addition to the smooth outer surface the natural oils of the pitch prevent In the case] of I adhesion of such'materia'ls to the cup. It has been found, however, that sand, referably fine sand, to keep the weight o the torpedo as low as possible, may be applied to the cup in a heated condition so that when it ooms in contact with the'pitch it will adhere to it. It is preferable to heat the sand to such a temperature that it will just adhere to the. cup without destroying its shape or contour. This sand will completely surround the cup, adhere "to it 'and form a medium in'close mechanical bond with the pitch due to the irregularities and undercuts 1n the surface of the sand grains. This roughened sanded surface is shown at 23 inA30 Figure 8 which discloses a cup after being treated with the heated sand. To the rough ened sand surface the various adhesive materials previously mentioned-will adhere as readily as to paper, coardboard or other materials out of which the toy torpedo cups or explosive containers have previously been made. 7

' In Figure 9 is shown a-"complete torpedo in which the casing '24 has been applied. This, casing or reinforcing outer covering is preferably formed of wood flour and silicate of soda. Silicate'of soda is preferred since it is cheaper than glue and it is equally as satisfactory, As explained in the Cimorosi patent, the cups are dipped in a solution of silicate of soda and then rolled in a suitable tumbler in wood flour, subsequent applications of the adhesive and wood flour serving to cause the casing to build up in a substantially spherical form. If desired,

confetti or other fibrous materials maybe added to increase the strength of the cover.

While the sanding operation is considered to be one of the most lmportant features of the present? invention, it is possible to use pitchcups without this process. if the outer surface is treated by dipping the cups into a liquid composed of tar and naptha to which has been addedabbut 12% ofcarbon tetrachloride to render the liquid non-inflammable. i'This liquid will adhere closely to the pitch cup since it partially dissolves i the pitch and it has sufficient tenacity to bind the wood fiour, sawdust, paper, sand, orany other materials used for forming the outer casing. If desired, but a small coating of these materials may be applied and then the final treatment with silicate of soda and,

.wood flour as previously described, applied.

In Figure 10 is disclosed diagrammatically,'in. cross section, .a machine which is representative of the type that may be used' I for molding thecups. While but a single mold has been disclosed it will be readily.

understood that any sired number of cups may be cast simultaneoiisly by the same or a similar operation. In this figure, 25 represents a reservoir or tank for containing the molding material. It issupported upon pillars 26 and a suitable Bunsen or other burner 27 e is placed beneath to heat the plastic material and keep it in a' molten condition. A cover 28 is preferably screwed onto the top' of the container and contains a filler plug 29 which can be tightly fitted in any well known manner? A pipe 30 controlled by a valve 31 serves to supply compressed air or steam under pressure to the surface of the inolten material for forcing it into the mold. Near the bottom of the container the wall is thickened as at 32,

is flat on its outer surface and provided with a tapered aperture 33. i The mold comprises the bottom or main portion 34 which may orma-y not be provided with the passages 35 for heating and cooling media.

. is provided, here shown as screwed onto the main portion of the mold {but it will be understood that if 'more than one cup is to be molded at. a time, suitable clamping means will be provided for holding this cap in position. Depending fromsthecap is the plug or core 37 which defines the in- 'terior shape of the cup. Between this core and the base of the .mold is a hollow of suitable outline to form the cup and the bottom'ofthe main portion of the mold is provided with the gate 38 which is adapted .to register with the opening 33 to allow the mold to be filled with the plastic material. The mold has extendin gibs which slide in ways not shown) to a low a vertical movement of the mold, this movement being limited by upper and lower stops 39 and 39 respectively so that when in the upper position the gate 38. and'opening 33 register but when in the lower position the flat bottom of the main part of the mold closes the open- 4 0 ing 33 and preventsthe escape of the plastic material and at the same time retains the plastic material in the molduntil it hardens. .In order that one mold may .be removed to allow the plastic material therein 46 to harden, and another substituted, it is found advisable to provide some means of shuttin off the flow of plastic material while 0 anging molds in order that the air pressure on the surface may not force the '50 plastic out through the a erture 33. Conveniently there is provide a slide valve 32 adapted to move in a groove or slot 50 in the face of the thickened portion 33 so that the outer surface of this slide cooperates with the under surface of the a mold- Am opening 33 is provided in the slide which when the slide is raised registers with the openings 33 and 38 and allows the molten plastic material to flow into the mold. Up- 60 on pushin the slide down, however, communicatio between the mold and the reser voir is cut off and a new mold may be substituted for the filled one. A pitch of proper consistency is laced in the container 25, the burner 27 v 'ghted and the proper pro- A cap 36 and the filled mold carried away to receive portions of fullers earth and-asbestosadded.

'As soon as the pitch begins to melt, suitable mechanical agitation of the mixture is effected until a thoroughlyhomogeneous mass is obtained. The filler cap 29 is then screwed on and the valve 31 openedso that pressure is applied to the top surface of the molten material. If the mold is then raised to the position shown in Figure 10, the slide valve being raised, the plastic will be forced into the mold completely filling it, the air in the mold leaking out around the screw threads where the cap is fastened in place. ,When the mold is full it is lowered and the supply of plastic cut off, at which time, if desired, the'cup can be removed from the mold as soon as hardened. The passage 35 may be supplied. with steam to heat the mold during the casting operation and later with cold water to cool the mold so that the cup can be morereadily removed. The above described device is more or less illustrative, and it will be understood that a large numbr of the cups can be cast in asingle operation and if desired, the molds may slide so 00 that while the pressure is retained on the surface of the lastic in the container 25 with the slide valve-closed, one mold may be substituted for another which has been filled,

the explosive composition as described in the earlier part of this s ecificat-ion. The articular method of moldlng and of forming the molds is of no great importance, but it is considered that-the feature of cutting 1 off a supply of material while the plastic in the mold is still-under pressure, is of considerable importance since it insures a full 1 supply of material in the mold and results in more perfect cups.

In the case where individual covers or caps for sealin the cups are used, they may be formed in t e same way and of the same composition. a

In Figures 11 and- 12 is shown an i'llustrative device for sanding the filled cups. At

240 is shown an. inclined trough having a plane bottom surface provided at its lower end with a basket or retainer 41 having a screened bottom. .The cups are adapted to be placed at the top 42 of the trough and allowed to roll down along the smooth bottom surface thereof and finally to be stopped and be collected in the basket 41. Above the trou h and near its upper end is arranged the evice for supplying the heated sand.

It comprises essentiallya tank or container 43 for the sand, being provided with a suitable steam jacket (not shown) to which steam may be conducted by means of a suit- 12 able pipe 44 and eiihausted through the pipe 45. A pipe 46 leads from the .bottom of the container or hopper and is controlled by supply valve 47 toregulate the flow' of the sand .yvhich may be discharged by gravity or otherwise. A spray nozzle or discharge device 48 of any suitable form is attached to the pipe 46 and has a number of apertures at the bottom of the fingers 49 through which the sand is sprayed in a shower or sheet to comein contact simultaneously with all the cups rolling down the trough. The heated sand which does not immediately adhere to the cups slides down the incline and the cups roll in it so that they are subjected to the heatedsand on all Sides. The sand that does not adhere to the cup falls through the screen in the basket 41 and can be caught in a suitable receptacle and returned to the hopper 43.. It may be found desirable to perforate the incline 40 with a number of small holes 40' thru which some of the surplussand may fall into the receptacle 41'.

From the above description it will be evident that there has been provided by the present invention a novel type of torpedo and apparatus for manufacturing the same.-

In addition to the features of value attendant upon the use of.pitch for making the cups, previously described, it has been found that due to the unyielding nature of .the

pitch the complete torpedo is blown into minute fragments which fail to carryanyappreciable distance, while in many other forms of torpedoes pieces varying in size from one-fourth to one-half of the complete torpedo will be blown a considerable dis tance with sufficient force to be. painfulto a person who may be struck. Experiments indicate that the heat of the explosion of the present type of torpedo is sufiicientto at least partially melt the small particles of pitch resulting from the disruption of the container This, for reasons not well un- ,derstood, seems to prevent the particles of the container .from flying to anyappreciable distance, and'they usually can all be collected within an area of several feet radius from the point of explosion.

'Another very important feature resulting from the sanded construction or any other means of accomplishing the same purpose,

is that of forming a perfectly homogeneous structure of the whole torpedoinclud-ing the cup and the envelope material, such" as the .wood flour, silicate of soda, etc. Unless a cup having the fragility of pitch is s'o secured to itsenveloping cover thatth'e cup becomes in reality an integral lining of the I cover or envelope, a cracking or shattering of, the cup will take place simultaneously with the impact when the torpedo is thrown against a hard surface, and instead of the explosive composition giving a loud report, 'there results only a slight flash and a hardly perceptible noise due-to the release of the expanding gases by the enveloping cover which alone usually does not have suflicient resistance to hold the gases suitably compressed and to then suddenly exp1ode,- or detonate, as it may better be expressed.

The cost of the pitch cups manufacturedand assembled with the exposive composition' and seal is less than one-third of the cost of the cardboard cups alone. The cost of the cardboard cups is often as much as one-third of the-cost of producing the com- .plete torpedo. It will therefore be seen that agglutinant and an inert. mineral filler.

5. An explosive container for a toy torpedo composed of a bitumen, a mineral. filler and a fibrous material.

6. An explosive container for a toy torpedo composed of a bitumen, an earthy and p a mineral fibrous material.

7. An explosive container for a toy torpedo composed of pitch, a fibrous reinforcing material and a filler to raise the melting point of said pitch.

8. An explosive'container for a toy torpedo formed from a bitumen, a comminuted material and a fibrous material the bitumen being of a greater quantity than the comminuted material and the comminuted material 'being of a greater quantity than the fibrous material.

. 9. Ina toy torpedo, an explosive container comprising a molded on and a molded cap, said parts being forme of material which i can be softened by heat to cause adherence between the cup and the cap.

10. In a toy torpedo, an explosive container molded in two ,parts and sealed against the entrance of moisture by joining said parts by the action of heat alone.

11. In a toy torpedo, an explosive container formed of a bitumen and a granular outer covering.

12. In the manufacture of a toy torpedo the steps comprising forming a cup of plastic composition in a mold, placing explosive material therein, placing abrasive material 'therein, applying a cap of the same composition and sealing the cap to the cup by heat. 13. In the manufacture of a toy torpedo the steps comprising forming a cup of plastic composition in a mold, placing explosive material therein, placing abrasive material eff toy torpedo composed of a viscousmineral therein, closing said cup, and then removing the cup from the mold.

14. A toy torpedo comprising an explosive compound, means to explode the same, a molded plastic container surroundingsaid compound and means, agranular material incorporated in the surface of said container, and an agglomerated covering bbnded'to said container.

15. A toy "torpedo comprising in combi-' nation, an explosive mixture, 'a water-proo f plastic container sealed around said mixture, a sand coating onsaid container and an agglomerated casing bonded to said sand, said casing composed of an agglutinant and acomminuted material:

16. In the-manufacture of a toy torpedo, the steps comprising moulding a cup of heatsoftened material in a mould, cooling the mould and cup, placing explosive material and abrasive material in sand cu'p,closing 17. In a toy torpedo, in 'combinatiom a container, an explosive in said container,

means in, said container to explode said ex-- plosive upon impact, said container being frangible and of such material that the parts thereol least p rtially melted by said explosion.

18. A container for explosive for a toy torpedo composed of a mouldable material brittlenwhen cold, the melting point of said material being such that the pieces resulting from an explosion are at least partially melted by the explosion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

KOBY KOHN.

resulting from an explosion are at 

